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Opera Onscreen: Crying and Renée Fleming in Margaret (2011)
Violette Leonard Violette Leonard

Opera Onscreen: Crying and Renée Fleming in Margaret (2011)

My favorite opera scene in film is perhaps the obscurest: Margaret (2011), when Anna Paquin and J. Smith-Cameron attend Les Contes d’Hoffmann starring Renée Fleming and Susan Graham. By the end of the Barcarolle, Paquin’s character has burst in tears and reconciled with her estranged mother.

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Met Opera 2023-24 Review: The Hours
Review Violette Leonard Review Violette Leonard

Met Opera 2023-24 Review: The Hours

What did I just witness? was the question that I kept asking myself, and failing to answer. What was that? The experience of seeing The Hours defies description, but I will describe mine to the best of my current ability.

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Opera Is Cool: Debunking Myths
Violette Leonard Violette Leonard

Opera Is Cool: Debunking Myths

Let’s face it: opera has gotten a bad rap. In reality, opera is one of the most glorious art forms in the world. Come debunk some myths with me! (Hint: it involves Beyoncé.)

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His Journey: An Interview With Jake Heggie
Violette Leonard Violette Leonard

His Journey: An Interview With Jake Heggie

All in all, 2023 is turning out to be quite the Year of Jake Heggie, the acclaimed classical composer. He told me (and now you!) all about his journey to classical, Dead Man Walking, why he’s drawn to write for mezzo-sopranos, and more! Read on.

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My 2023-24 Resolutions
Violette Leonard Violette Leonard

My 2023-24 Resolutions

What do I want out of this season?

I made a list of my 2023-24 season resolutions, my own operatic version of New Year’s. Here they are, plus my basic wish to have a good time at extraordinary operas. What are your resolutions?

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Cinematic Adventures: Il Trovatore (2010-11)
Violette Leonard Violette Leonard

Cinematic Adventures: Il Trovatore (2010-11)

Every summer, the Met tries to ease our cravings with four HD cinema broadcasts from seasons past. I haven’t been to the cinema since COVID struck, but the idea of Verdi’s riveting Trovatore was too much to resist.

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